A modern engineering philosophy suggests that if you want more performance from fewer engine cylinders, then add a turbocharger to the powerplant. But before such an approach became fashionable, Mercedes-Benz had a different solution. The company found that it could take a relatively large inline-four gas engine with a strong cast-iron block, and add a belt-driven supercharger. In doing so, it created a gasoline-burning engine that behaved more like a diesel.
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